mitt romney turned in a strong performance and the president turned in an uneven performance. the disparity led to a perception that president obama lost the debate. if you look at the commentary, not from the right, but people who love barack obama, almost every one of them, every pundit was saying that he lost. some saying he lost decisively. some saying he lost so badly, it could cost him the election. to me, it's hyperbolic. it speaks to the fact mitt romney changed the narrative of the campaign. >> what does it mean, jim, for mitt romney. if we accept he won the night last night, how does he make it about more than one night and a turning point in the campaign? >> i can't emphasize how big last night was for mitt romney. you have to view it from the mitt romney that came into the debate. conservatives were down on him. his staff were down on him. donors were reluctant to give money to him. most thought he had no opportunity to win the race. he comes out of the debate as somebody who reassured conservatives. his biggest critics are applauding him. the donors are excited ag